Mbeki heads for US

Thabo Mbeki received an honorary degree in Glasgow

By Greg Barrow in Johannesburg

South African President Thabo Mbeki begins an official visit to Washington on Sunday on the second leg of an overseas tour which began in the United Kingdom.

Although the US leg of the trip will focus on strengthening political and economic relations between America and South Africa, Mr Mbeki is likely to face questions about his controversial decision to open a debate in South Africa into the link between HIV infection and Aids.

Mbeki and Blair discussed the crisis in Zimbabwe at length

It will be Mr Mbeki's first official visit to Washington as South African head of state.

But he is well-known in the Clinton administration, as he often travelled to the US during his time as deputy to Former President, Nelson Mandela.

Aids controversy

Delegates travelling with Mr Mbeki say the main purpose of the visit is to increase economic and political co-operation between the global super-power and the strongest economic and military power in Africa.

However Mr Mbeki will not be able to avoid questions about his controversial decision to open a debate into the origin of Aids in Africa.

Mr Mbeki has drawn sharp criticism from the international scientific community for inviting American dissident scientists who dispute the link between HIV and Aids to join a special commission which is examining HIV infection in South Africa - this at a time when South Africa has the fastest rate of new HIV infections in the world.

Mr Mbeki is also expected to brief his hosts on the current political crisis in Zimbabwe. The invasions of white farms and the high level of political intimidation and violence in Zimbabwe have alarmed foreign investors, who are now shying away from the whole of Southern Africa, threatening economic growth in the region.